Robert Carlyle, accepting his award, says he was genuinely surprised to win

The British film, about unemployed Yorkshire steelmen who turn to stripping to make a living, won four awards, including the coveted Best Film title.

Its star, Robert Carlyle, was named best leading actor in the film, which had been nominated for 11 of the awards.

Tom Wilkinson, who played the stripping troupe's unlikely dance instructor won best supporting actor, and the film was also named most popular in the audience award.

The Best Actress title went to Dame Judy Dench for playing the role of Queen Victoria in the film Mrs Brown.

Sigourney Weaver won the title of Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Ice Storm.

"I can't tell you how much this recognition means to me," she said.

Gary Oldman: unexpected

Titanic, which won 10 Oscars in February and had 11 nominations, went away empty-handed.

One category where The Full Monty was beaten was Best British Film, which was won by Gary Oldman's gritty Nil by Mouth, set in his native south-east London.

Producer Luc Besson said: "I certainly didn't expect this tonight."

Oldman, better known as an actor in films such as True Romance and Lost in Space, said: "This film is in spirit if not direcly autobiographical.

Sean Connery: lifetime achievement

"My family were the inspiration of it, so I am very proud they could share this with me tonight."

Sean Connery was given this year's Fellowship Award, in recognition of his lifetime achievements in film.